Composting Andy – A Percheron Gelding

Well, that certainly blew the steam out of my spring clean up thread….yuck!

I picked up a brochure on how to compost animals on the farm at a farm show in Barre VT a couple of weeks ago. Not a happy thought, but sure beats a lot of other options. I will keep it filed until the day I need it.

Doesn’t burying a body do the same thing…return the nutrients to the earth? I realize burial is illegal in some areas, so I guess composting is the way to go, it just makes me alittle queazy. Guess I’ve got a long way to go in regards to being a ‘real’ farmer:eek:

Howie,

With 3 or 4 bull calves composted per week, are you saying that the local farm/dairy you mention in your post is “knocking bull calves in the head” and composting them because calf prices are so low? I know some dairies did that in the past but that’s an incredible waste:mad:. If they believe that bull calves are what’s hurting their dairy’s profitibility, then they need to get into another line of work.

I did originally want to comment on Andy. I agree that composting is a good way of dealing with animal carcasses and we do that w/ any animals that we lose at our place as well. That said, I haven’t had to deal w/ anything close to my heart – yet. And I dread the day.

Burying might actually slow the process down if it reduces the amount of oxygen getting to the carcass.

Although it’s a little late –

Condolences to you on your loss Donn.
“Goodbye Andy”.

Good job Jen, it can be hard to think about, but we are all perishable. I heard a great quote this summer, I wish that I remember who said it, “Plan on living for a hundred years but be prepared to die any minute.” So it is good to imagine the animals living to their fullest, but keep the pile hot just in case the unforeseen happens. I guess the same goes for anyone, my mother doesn’t want to die anytime soon, but my name is on her bank account and her will is up to date, because you just never know. I can’t think of a better way to honor the dead than composting, completing the nutrient cycle is a very powerful and nontoxic way of returning the dead to the earth. Near horse correct about burying, without oxygen decomposition takes much longer. Without enough carbon material the nutrients are leached into the ground in potentially harmful/wasteful concentrations, the carbon material helps capture the nitrogen and makes for a mellower finished product that is safe to use.

Erika

Jennifer ~ You define whether you are a “real” farmer, as you put it… no one else can, should, or should be allowed to, define you. Ray Holes, who owns the 8000+ head of goats hereabouts, loves chevon (goat meat) but just cannot eat one that came from his own herd(s) –> that’s one from a herd of eight thousand!! But I’m thinking he’s probably considered by about anyone to be a “real” goat rancher. To me, composting just continues the cycle of life in a wholesome manner… the nutrients feed the plants that feed the animal that replaces the dead one.
About your question on the cat carcass = I had 2 full-grown rabbits die within the same week right after Christmas, and we turned the huge compost pile yesterday – only saw one recognizable bone… and the pile wasn’t very hot, in fact was getting a bit “stale” (anaerobic from not being turned sooner), which slows the process down. Just try to ascertain that the cat didn’t die of any (possibly communicable) disease, unless you get it down into the pile with some really hot temps for extended time.
As you might notice, I’m “into” compost… I haven’t bought any fertilizer in the last 2 years – or needed to. I take every bit of bedding, weeds & manure I can get (11 goats, 2 large mules, 16 rabbits, the landlord’s mom’s 20 chickens) & wish I had more. In fact, it’s why I don’t mind it when anyone gives me any ‘BS’ –> I just compost that, too! If I had any politicians living nearby, I could probably triple my yield! 😀